January 5, 2026: Mumbai is on the cusp of a significant expansion of its metro network, with multiple new corridors and extensions slated to become operational over the next year. Following the launch of the Aqua Line between Aarey and Cuffe Parade in 2025, the city’s rapid transit system is steadily emerging as a strong alternative to the heavily burdened suburban railways. Authorities say the upcoming phases are designed to improve east–west and north–south connectivity while substantially cutting travel times across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
One of the key additions is Phase One of Metro Line 9, which will run from Dahisar East to Kashigaon in Mira Bhayandar. This 4.5-km stretch will include four stations and allow commuters to seamlessly interchange with Lines 7 and 2A, offering access to the Western Express Highway and DN Nagar. Further interconnections with Lines 1 and 3 will also enhance network integration. Although the line’s full inauguration was delayed after safety inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, partial operations are expected to begin soon, with the remaining section up to Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium opening in the coming months.
Metro Line 2B, spanning 23.6 km from DN Nagar to Mankhurd via Bandra, Kurla and Chembur, is in advanced trial stages. Five stations are nearing readiness, and while initial ridership may be modest due to limited connectivity, the corridor is expected to significantly strengthen east–west travel once fully operational. The DN Nagar to Saraswat Nagar segment in Khar is targeted for completion by mid-2026.
In the Thane–Mumbai belt, Lines 4 and 4A will see about two-thirds of their total length operational next year. The first 10.5 km from Cadbury Junction to Gaimukh, including the Line 4A extension, is expected to open early, with the full corridor to Wadala scheduled for completion by 2027.
Meanwhile, Metro Line 6, running along the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road, is planned to be fully operational by mid-2026, linking key hubs such as Andheri, Powai and Kanjurmarg. Separately, the long-awaited missing link on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is set for completion in March 2026, promising to reduce travel time by nearly 30 minutes.
